In
a world where "King Self" rules, everything is optional,
even fathers! Traditional roles, traditional values, traditional
standards are viewed as out-dated, outmoded and destructive of social
progress.
Marriage
and Parenting are two such out-moded concepts. The God Who created us
established marriage and family to protect and strengthen both the
individual and the societal unit. Where traditional [read: biblical]
marriage and family is strong, women and children are protected and
men are responsible. In societies where this traditional arrangement
no longer exists, none of this is true.
Americans
de-valued marriage and family with No-Fault Divorce laws that treat
marriage as an optional, informal contract, rather than the
holy state, based on solemn vows, it really is. We instituted birth
control methods and devices, including abortion-on-demand under the
heading of 'Womens Health Care' or 'Reproductive Health Care.'
Recently we've added same-sex unions, calling it 'marriage.'
Now,
no one is protected! Not women who are simply viewed as sex-objects.
Not children who are now disposable, either in gender-specific
abortions, general abortions or abandonment. Not men, who are now
teen-agers well into their 40's with no sense of responsibility nor
desire for personal development.
In
the Black community, where this 'progressive' philosophy has taken
hold, 72% of babies are born to unwed mothers. The abortion rate
among this demographic is also higher than the average. Columbia
University did a study on the disconnected generation and found in
single-parent homes, where the mother was Head of the household, 30%
of the children became involved in drugs, alcohol, crime and
violence. In two-parent households, where there wasn't a good
relationship with the father, 68% of the children were likely to be
involved with alcohol, drugs, crime and violence.
Mothers
bring love, nurture, support and direction to the family. Fathers
bring security and an optimistic confidence that children need when
facing the unknown. Fathers are not known for being nurturers. Often
fathers are seen as disconnected from the family. Too often this is
true! But, to the extent that he is still a presence in the life of
the family and available to provide and protect, he serves a vital
role in the development of that unit, it's members and the broader
society.
Young
women are at an emotional and relational disadvantage without a
father to provide the attention of a man, during those critical years
of puberty, as well as wise counsel regarding men. Women do not
understand these things, as men do. Without Dad's love and guidance,
a young woman must learn these lessons the hard way, with too often
disastrous result.
The
same is true with young men. They don't know how to be a man. Fathers
can save their sons many years of hard work and grief by teaching and
modeling godly manhood. Even if the father is not a believer, there
is much a father has to teach his son.
With
same-sex unions and the abandonment of marriage on the rise, these
dynamics are strained, if available at all! We have enough years and
data to tell us how it's all going to end. The picture is chaotic and
destructive.
Fathers
need all the help and encouragement they can get! But even a poor
father is better than no father.
